Portable lap-supported work station

ABSTRACT

A portable lap-supported work station for bead stringing and bead weaving is provided. In one embodiment, the work station includes a tray configured as a design board having a lower surface to which a pillow is directly attached. In another embodiment, the work station includes a rectangular base and two flocked trays (or boards) which nestably and preferably snap-fit into the base. One tray is configured as a design board that is adapted for bead stringing. The second tray is configured for bead weaving. In the lower portion of the base beneath the trays, a storage compartment is provided. Preferably, the bottom exterior surface portions of the base are provided with a pillow adapted to rest upon the lap of the user. A handle along a longitudinal exterior side of the base permits the combination of pillow, base and boards to be transported or stored.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of my earlier filed U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/781,255 filed Feb. 17, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a portable lap-supported work station, or lapdesk, which can be used for craft and hobby activities including beadstringing or bead weaving.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although the arts of bead stringing and bead weaving are believed tohave been known for hundreds of years, they each require a defined workarea where both the raw materials and the necessary tools can be used,maintained and stored. In the past, such a work area would have beentypically situated at a fixed location that was relatively isolated fromother activities; and the individual would probably be positioned at atable or work bench to work on a bead stringing or weaving project.

In contemporary times, for various reasons, it is often inconvenient foran individual to be positioned at such a fixed location for what can bea considerable amount of time to complete a project. It is desirable toprovide a portable work surface which enables the individual totransport and store the necessary supplies and work on a project from aremote location.

Thus, there is a need for a portable platform suitable for positioningon the lap of an individual for use as a work station wherever theopportunity is presented for working on a craft or beading project.However, more than a small, flattened surface or board is needed. Theportable platform needs to be able to hold or be associated with all thenecessary materials and tools in an accessible and usable manner. Theportable platform must also be compact, durable, practical and suitablefor storage, transport and practical use yet adapted for quick start-upor shut-down in a wide variety of environments. For example, theindividual can be seated as a passenger in a vehicle, outside in a yardor in a family room. In addition, the portable platform shouldpreferably have a significant storage capacity, be lightweight even whenloaded with raw materials, tools and work in progress, be easily usedand have a generally acceptable appearance.

The present invention provides a new and very useful portable workstation for craft and hobby activities including bead stringing orweaving with a combination of desirable properties as indicated above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

More particularly, this invention is directed to a new and very usefulportable platform or work station suitable for use on the lap of anindividual involved in either bead stringing or bead weaving. In oneembodiment, the work station includes a board having a lower surface andan upper surface, the upper surface being configured as a design boardfor bead stringing. The upper surface can be covered with flocking andcan include one or more grooves and associated indicia marks suitablefor aligning beads along with one or more cup-like areas suitable forholding beads or other supplies. A pillow or cushion can be associatedwith the lower surface of the board for resting the work station on thelap of a user.

In another embodiment, the work station includes a preferablyrectangular base having a generally flattened bottom wall and acontinuously extending upturned peripheral side edge region. The workstation further includes one or two rectangular boards which can includeflocking and which, if two boards are used, are adapted to be nestablysituated in upper surface regions of the base in a stacked, adjacentrelationship relative to each other. One board is adapted for beadstringing; and, if two boards are included, the second is adapted forbead weaving. Each board has its own upper surface configuration. Thefirst board is preferably the outermost or uppermost board and featuressurface portions that are configured as a design board for beadstringing. The second board, if included, is preferably beneath andgenerally interior relative to the first board, and features surfaceportions that are convenient for bead weaving.

The perimeter edge region of the first board is adapted to be nestablyreceived within an upturned peripheral edge region of the second boardpreferably in a detachable, snap-fit relationship. The perimeter edgeregion of the second board is upturned and adapted to be nestablyreceived within the upper peripheral edge portion of a relativelyshallow tray-like container preferably also in a detachable, snap-fitrelationship. The second board preferably has a central region that isflattened and adapted for use in bead weaving. Between the second boardand the bottom interior of the tray-like container, a storagecompartment is located. The first board and the second board eachpreferably have upper surface portions that are covered with flocking,although those surface portions need not be flocked.

A pad or pillow-like structure can be mounted over the entire bottomexterior face of the tray-like container. The pillow-like structurepreferably has a generally flattened exterior bottom surfaceconfiguration when not distorted, and the pillow-like structurepreferably has a somewhat particulate, low-density fill, thereby tooptimize the ability of the pillow to rest comfortably on the lap of anindividual using the work station.

In a medial exterior position along a longitudinal side portion of thetray-like container is mounted a handle member that enables the combinedassembly of pillow, tray-like container, and second and first boards,together with any items stored by the user in the portable work station,to be transported or stored in a convenient, compact manner.

So far as is known, the subject matter of the present invention is notsuggested in the prior art. The invention provides a new and very usefulstructure for beading.

Other and further arrangements, embodiments, features, applications,objects, purposes, advantages and the like will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from the present specification taken with theassociated drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of the inventive portablelap-supportable platform or work station for bead stringing and beadweaving, the work station being known in an assembled configurationsuitable for storage, transport or the like;

FIG. 2 is an environmental fragmentary view illustrating the manner inwhich the assembled work station of FIG. 1 may be transported andcarried by holding its associated handle;

FIG. 3 is an environmental fragmentary view illustrating one manner inwhich the work station may be utilized by an individual for beadstringing;

FIG. 4 is an exploded, perspective view of the FIG. 1 work station withflocking omitted and the handle joined to the base in an alternativeconfiguration;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the base or tray-like container of theFIG. 4 work station, the base being oriented in an invertedconfiguration compared to its orientation in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second board of the FIG. 1 workstation, flocking omitted, this board being configured for bead weaving;

FIG. 7 is longitudinal, vertical, diagrammatic sectional view takenmedially and perpendicularly along the line VII-VII shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, detail, top plan view of the first board as shownin FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, this board being configured for bead stringing,this view including the flocking layer on the board upper surface andindicia for determining beadwork size characteristics;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, detail end elevational view of the FIG. 1assembled work station including the flocking layer on the first board;

FIG. 10 is a vertical, longitudinal, sectional view taken along the lineX-X of FIG. 1, with the flocking omitted;

FIG. 11 is a vertical, transverse, sectional view taken along the lineof XI-XI of FIG. 1, with the flocking omitted;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged, detail, fragmentary review of the region of VIIIof FIG. 10, with the flocking omitted; and

FIG. 13 illustrates one manner in which the work station of FIG. 1 couldbe provided with an exterior cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the Figures, there is seen an embodiment 100 of theinventive portable lap-supported work station, or lap desk, for beadstringing and bead weaving. In this embodiment, the work station 100includes a base or tray-like container 116, a first board (or tray) 28adapted for use in bead stringing, and a second board (or tray) 300adapted for use in bead weaving.

The base 116, the board 28 and the board 300 are each generallyrectangular and are conveniently and preferably comprised ofvacuum-formed, relatively stiff and shape-retaining plastic sheetmaterial. If desired, alternative construction materials could beutilized, such as sheet metal, polymer impregnated and rigidified paperor the like. In addition, the base and the boards can be other thanrectangular, for example, square, round or oval-shaped. The boards 28and 300 are situated in upper surface regions of the base 116 in astacked, adjacent relationship relative to each other.

Board 28 is adapted for bead stringing, and board 300 is configured forbead weaving. Each board 28 and 300 has its own upper surfaceconfiguration. Board 28 is preferably the outermost or uppermost boardin the assembled work surface 100 and board 28 has upper surfaceportions that are configured for use as a design board for convenientbead stringing.

Board 300 is preferably beneath and generally interior relative to thefirst board and the base 116; and board 300 has upper surface portionsthat are configured for use in bead weaving. In an alternativeembodiment, the second board 300 can be omitted to form a base/designboard combination.

In the portable work station 100, the perimeter edge region 40 of thefirst board 28 is adapted to be nestably received within an upturned,continuously extending peripheral edge region of the second board 300.Preferably, the first board 28 detachably engages the second board in asnap-fit type of relationship. In an alternative embodiment where thesecond board 300 is omitted, the first board 28 can detachably engage araised peripheral edge portion of the base 116, preferably in a snap-fittype of relationship. In a further embodiment, the first board can besecured to the base by hook and loop fasteners or double-sided tape, forexample.

The perimeter edge region 386 of the second board 300 is upturned orraised and continuously extends. The perimeter edge region 386 isadapted to be nestably received within the upper portion of the upturnedperipheral edge portion 162 of the relatively shallow tray-likecontainer or base 116. Preferably, the second board 300 detachablyengages the base 116 in a snap-fit type relationship. Between the secondboard 300 and the bottom interior of the tray-like container 116, astorage compartment 124 is located.

The first board 28 and the second board 300 each preferably have uppersurface portions which are covered with flocking. The flocking reducesthe tendency of beads to roll compared to a hard, smooth surface andalso aids in positioning tools and the work in progress. Thus, all orportions of the first board 28 and the second board 300 can be flocked.In the alternative, one or neither board can include flocking.

If desired, and preferably, a pad or pillow structure 44 is mounted overthe entire exterior surface of the bottom surface 164 of the base ortray-like container 116. The upper surface of the pillow structure 44can be bonded to the exterior lower surface of the bottom 164 by meansof an adhesive (suggested by lines 48 on surface 164 in FIG. 5), or thelike. In an alternative embodiment, hook and loop fasteners ordouble-sided tape can be used, for example.

The pillow structure 44 preferably has a generally flattened exteriorbottom surface configuration when not distorted, yet such bottom surfaceconfiguration preferably conforms to the lap of an individual during usewith the associated components of the work station 100 thereover. Thus,the work station 100 can rest upon the lap of an individual and thebottom surface of the pillow structure 44 may conform and stabilize theportable work station 100. Preferably, the pillow structure 44 has aconventional, somewhat particulate, low-density fill 46 (see FIG. 11),thereby to optimize the ability of the pillow structure 44 to avoidunnecessary weight and still lap-conform and rest comfortably andconveniently upon the lap of an individual using the inventive portablework station 100.

In another embodiment, the pad or pillow structure 44 can be mountedover the lower surface of the board 28, for example, by means of anadhesive, hook and loop fasteners or double-sided tape (as describedabove with regard to work station 100). This embodiment would notinclude a board 300 or a base 116.

With regard to the work station 100, in a medial exterior position alonga longitudinal side portion of the base or tray-like container 116 ismounted a handle member 60 that enables the work station 100, includingthe combination of pillow structure 44, base or tray-like container 116,and second and first boards 300 and 28, together with any items storedby the user in the portable work station 100, to be transported orstored in a convenient, compact manner. For example, in a FIG. 1, thehandle member 60 has its opposite ends mounted between the base 116 andthe pillow 44. Alternatively, in, for example, FIGS. 4 and 5, the handlemember 60 is mounted conventionally on a side portion of the base 116 byadhesive, rivets or the like.

The base 116 incorporates internally along the perimeter 162 thereof aplurality of perimetrically spaced-apart shoulders 132 which serve tomaintain the tray or board 300 at a predetermined level above the bottom164 of the base 116 and thereby provide a storage compartment 124between the bottom 164 of the base 116 and the bottom 382 of the board300. The board 300 is sized and configured to rest upon the shoulders132 when the board 300 is removably received within the base 116, yetthe board 300 is removable to allow for user access to the storagecompartment 124.

The upper surface portions of the board 28 (see, for example, FIGS. 1and 8) are provided with a plurality of various grooves 170 that areeach suitable for engaging and positioning or aligning beads in astraight line or progressive linear-type relationship relative to oneanother, such as is desirable for use in making bracelets, necklaces,anklets, etc.

The upper surface of the board 28 optionally but preferably alsoincludes associated indicia marks 174, such as illustrated in FIG. 8,for determining a length of a beadwork project being undertaken or thelike.

The upper surface of the board 28 is also provided with a plurality ofindented, cup-like areas 180 that are suitable for holding beads beingused for a beadwork project. Those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that various surface configurations for the board 28 can beprovided, and that the illustrated arrangement of the surface of theboard 28 is not construed as limiting.

The board 300 illustratively and preferably has a planar upper surface382 which is covered with flocking 384 (see FIG. 7) as is also thegenerally upstanding peripheral wall 386 of the board 300 that surroundsthe flocked weaving surface 384/382. Those skilled in the art willreadily appreciate that various surface configurations for the board 300can be provided, and that the illustrated arrangement of the surface ofthe board 300 should not be construed as limiting. For example, the flatsurface portions of the board 300 may include shallow depressionssuitable for holding various tools, if desired. Moreover, the peripheralwall 386 shown in the Figures is only illustrative. The wall 386 can, ofcourse, be configured differently; for example, to define a raisedportion which provides for engagement with the board 28.

The peripheral wall 386 of the board 300 further incorporates, in apreferred embodiment, a small magnet 388 that is provided and adapted tohold a needle or the like (not shown) within easy reach of a user. Theperipheral wall 386 further incorporates in the interior of the board300 a plurality of perimetrically spaced-apart shoulders 332 as well aslatch members 342 for accepting and detachably associating with a board28.

Thus, the configuration of the board 300 cooperates with theconfiguration of the board 28 so that both boards 28 and 300 can beincorporated into base 116 of the inventive portable lap-supported workstation 100 for bead stringing and bead weaving. The base 116 can beemployed to associate separately with either board 28 or board 300, ifdesired. It will also be understood that either board 28 or board 300may be used, if desired, independently of the base 116. Thus, theinventive portable lap-supported work station 100 is suitable for beadstringing and bead weaving and is extremely versatile.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, if desired, the base 116 may be associatedwith, and overcovered by, a cover 14; the cover 14 and the base 116being detachably engaged with one another by means of inter-engaginghinge type latches 56 and 58. The cover includes a plurality ofcompartments 18 within which bead containers 20 are received. A furthercompartment 22 is included within the cover 14 for holding scissors orother beading tools (not shown).

Other and further configurations, modifications and embodiments of thepresent invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thepresent teachings and disclosures. The present invention is not limitedto the present illustrative embodiments. Changes can be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A portable work station for bead stringing comprising: (a) a boardhaving a lower surface and an upper surface, the upper surface beingconfigured as a design board for bead stringing; and (b) a pillowassociated with the lower surface of the board for resting the workstation on the lap of a user.
 2. The work station of claim 1 wherein theupper surface is flocked.
 3. The work station of claim 1 wherein thepillow includes particulate, low-density fill.
 4. The work station ofclaim 1 wherein the board has defined in the upper surface thereof aplurality of grooves that are suitable for engaging and positioningbeads in a linear-type relationship relative to one another.
 5. The workstation of claim 1 wherein the board has defined in the upper surfacethereof a plurality of indented, cup-like recesses for holding beads. 6.The work station of claim 1 wherein the board has defined thereinindicia for determining a length of a beadwork project.
 7. A portablelap-supported work station for bead stringing comprising in combination:(a) a base having an upper surface and a generally flat bottom wall; (b)a board having an upper surface configured as a design board for beadstringing and a lower surface adapted to engage said base; and (c) apillow associated with exterior surface portions of said bottom wall forresting said work station upon the lap of a user.
 8. The work station ofclaim 7 wherein the upper surface of said board is flocked.
 9. The workstation of claim 7 including a handle located along and associated withan exterior longitudinal side of said base for enabling manual transportof said work station.
 10. A portable lap-supported work station for beadstringing and bead weaving comprising in combination: (a) a base havinga generally flat bottom wall and an upturned peripheral side region; (b)a first board having an upper surface configured as a design board forbead stringing; and (c) a second board having an upper surfaceconfigured for bead weaving and having an upturned perimeter edgeportion; said first board and said second board each having perimeterportions that are adapted to nest and snap-fit within said base; andsaid base including shoulder means adjacent said peripheral side regionfor supporting said boards in an upwardly spaced relationship relativeto said bottom wall whereby a storage compartment is definedtherebetween.
 11. The work station of claim 10 including a handlelocated along and associated with an exterior longitudinal side of saidbase for enabling manual transport of said work station.
 12. The workstation of claim 10 wherein exterior surface portions of said bottomwall are associated with a pillow for supporting said work station uponthe lap of a user.
 13. A portable lap-supported work station for beadstringing and bead weaving comprising in combination: (a) a base havinga generally flat bottom wall and a continuously extending, upturnedperipheral side region; (b) a first board having a central portion whoseupper surface portion is configured as a design board for beadstringing; and (c) a second board having a central portion whose uppersurface portion is configured for bead weaving and having a continuouslyextending, upturned perimeter edge portion; said first board havingperimeter portions adapted to snap-fit within and adjacent to saidperimeter edge portions; and said perimeter edge portions being adaptedto snap-fit within and adjacent to upper portions of said peripheraledge region and said peripheral edge region including shoulder meanssupporting said second board in upwardly spaced relationship relative tosaid bottom wall whereby a storage compartment is defined therebetween.14. The work station of claim 13 including a handle located along andassociated with an exterior longitudinal side of said base fortransporting said work station.
 15. The work station of claim 13 whereinexterior surface portions of said bottom wall are associated with apillow for resting said work station upon the lap of a user.
 16. Thework station of claim 15 wherein said pillow has a particulate,low-density fill.
 17. The work station of claim 10 wherein said firstboard has defined in said central portion thereof a plurality of groovesthat are each suitable for engaging and positioning beads in alinear-type of relationship relative to one another.
 18. The workstation of claim 10 wherein said first board has defined in said centralportion thereof a plurality of indented, cup-like recesses for holdingbeads.
 19. The work station of claim 10 wherein said first board hasdefined therein indicia for determining a length of a beadwork project.20. The work station of claim 10 wherein said second board has definedin said central portion thereof a generally flat area for bead weaving.21. A portable lap-supported work station for bead stringing and beadweaving comprising in combination: (a) a base having a generally flatbottom wall and a continuously extending, upturned peripheral sideregion; (b) a first board having a central portion whose upper surfaceportion is flocked and configured as a design board for bead stringing;(c) a second board having a central portion whose upper surface portionis flocked and configured for bead weaving and having a continuouslyextending, upturned perimeter edge portion; said first board havingperimeter portions adapted to snap-fit within and adjacent to saidperimeter edge portions; and said perimeter edge portions being adaptedto snap-fit within and adjacent to upper portions of said peripheraledge region and said peripheral edge region including shoulder meanssupporting said second board in upwardly spaced relationship relative tosaid bottom wall whereby a storage compartment is defined therebetween;and (d) a pillow associated with exterior surface portions of saidbottom wall for resting said work station upon the lap of a user. 22.The work station of claim 21 including a handle located along andassociated with an exterior longitudinal side of said base fortransporting said work station.
 23. The work station of claim 21 whereinsaid pillow has a particulate, low-density fill.
 24. The work station ofclaim 21 wherein said first board has defined in said central portionthereof a plurality of grooves that are each suitable for engaging andpositioning beads in a linear-type of relationship relative to oneanother.
 25. The work station of claim 21 wherein said first board hasdefined in said central portion thereof a plurality of indented,cup-like recesses for holding beads.
 26. The work station of claim 21wherein said first board has defined therein indicia for determining alength of a beadwork project.
 27. The work station of claim 21 whereinsaid second board has defined in said central portion thereof agenerally flat area for bead weaving.
 28. The work station of claim 21wherein said perimeter edge portion is associated with a small magnetthat is adapted to hold a needle or the like.